Frederick Jagel

Frederick Jagel (June 10, 1897 – July 5, 1982) was an American tenor born in Brooklyn, New York, who built a distinguished career on the operatic stage while also appearing on Broadway. His father was a church organist and his mother a pianist, and Jagel began studying music at the age of four. During his youth he pursued vocal training alongside work as a life-insurance actuary. Following his service in World War I, he sang in a church choir until a benefactor funded his advanced studies in Italy.

Jagel trained in both New York City and Milan before making his professional operatic debut as Rodolfo in La bohème in Livorno in 1924. During his time in Italy he performed under the name Federico Jaghelli. He returned to the United States and made his Metropolitan Opera debut on November 8, 1927, taking the role of Radames in Aida. Over 23 seasons at the Met, he sang 217 performances across 34 roles, concentrating primarily in the Italian and French repertories. Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts preserved several of his notable performances, including appearances as Alfredo in La traviata opposite Rosa Ponselle, Pollione in Norma opposite Zinka Milanov, Don Alvaro in La forza del destino opposite Lawrence Tibbett, and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor opposite Lily Pons. His San Francisco debut took place in 1930 in The Girl of the Golden West, and he also performed in Chicago and Buenos Aires.

In 1933, Jagel appeared on Broadway in Uncle Tom's Cabin, adding a stage credit to his operatic career. He retired from performing in 1950 and subsequently taught singing in New York. His students included tenors Augusto Paglialunga, David Romano, Robert Moulson, and John Stewart, as well as bass-baritone Justino Diaz. He also served as Chairman of the Voice Department at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Jagel was married to Nancy Weir, who died in 1968. He married Virginia Garrett in Boston in 1970, and the two remained together until his death. He had two sons. Jagel died on July 5, 1982, in San Francisco following a brief illness, at the age of 85.